For me, the February newsletter is always an opportunity to take a few minutes to remember our friend and colleague, Dr. Matt Howard, who passed away three years ago. Matt had amazing vision for ocean observing and data management — and also a LOT of heart and humor.
I’m especially mindful of life’s many changes — both good and sad — now as I plan for my retirement as GCOOS Executive Director. I have loved the challenges, opportunities and many successes we’ve made in the last seven years. But it is time for me to slow down a bit.
I won't be going far — I plan to work part time on a few red tide projects — and, of course, I will be here for a while as we search for GCOOS’s next leader and to help the new director during the transition. We should have the position announcement posted in March.
In the meantime, we’re accepting nominations for the GCOOS Board of Directors. These tireless volunteers help to guide GCOOS, setting strategic goals and priorities to ensure that we’re meeting the needs of our user communities. Nomination and voting information is below and we welcome opportunities for new members of the Gulf ocean community to come aboard!
Finally, here’s hoping you all have a swift recovery from the many weather-related challenges this month!
Until next month,
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Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick
Executive Director
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Nominations for the Board Now Open |
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The GCOOS Board of Directors invites nominations from colleagues interested in and committed to working within an organization dedicated to provide data, information and products to the Gulf of Mexico stakeholder community that includes the private sector, governmental agencies at all levels, academia and researchers, non-governmental organizations and the general public.
- The nomination deadline is 5 p.m. (CST), Friday, March 26, 2021
- Ballots will be sent out for a vote on Friday, April 2, 2021
- Voting ends at close of business, Friday, April 14, 2021
- Terms are three years and begin at the autumn Board meeting (usually held in September/October). Self-nominations are welcome.
- Learn more about Director duties & how to make a nomination.
Current Board Members whose terms expire in Fall 2021
Private Sector
- Dr. Alyssa Dausman, the Water Institute of the Gulf
- Bill Lingsch, UG2 Glider Coordinator
Government Sector
Academic Sector
- Dr. Nick Shay, University of Miami, RSMAS
Outreach & Education Sector
- Renee Collini, Mississippi State University
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Important Data Providers News: BSEE/NTL Data Management will move to GCOOS on April 1, 2021
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The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) are making changes to the data management of the Notice to Lessees and Operators (NLT) data.
From now through March 31, 2021, NTL data providers are encouraged to register and open an SFTP account with GCOOS to ensure a smooth transition.
To Register:
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Go to the GCOOS Account management page https://uploads.gcoos.org/account/. Click the “Register” tab and create the account. It is important to remember the username and password, as these data will be used to authenticate users when transporting data to GCOOS.
- Complete the short forms to identify the individual requesting for the account.
- Upon completion, the account request will be reviewed by GCOOS, and users will be notified when the account is active. Data folders will be pre-created where data can be delivered to or pushed to.
Important Note: Data providers submitting information for more than one organization MUST create a separate account for each organization.
The NDBC will terminate access to the NDBC FTP server (ftp://comms.ndbc.noaa.gov), on March 31, 2021, at 2300 UTC. The station pages on the NDBC website, will remain active for 90 days after the FTP access is disabled until June 30, 2021.
The real-time data will not be updated on the NDBC website station pages during this period but should be accessible from GCOOS data endpoints (ERDDAP and WAF). After the 90 day transition, NDBC will move the station pages to the historical station's link on the NDBC website.
If you have questions about the transition of this service, contact:
For GCOOS:
Felimon Gayanilo
GCOOS/Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5869, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412
For NDBC:
Karen Grissom, NOAA, National Weather Service, National Data Buoy Center, NDBC Lead Scientist, Building 3205, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529
For BSEE:
Joan L. Hall, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Office of Regional, Field Operations, Chief, Technical Assessment Section (TAS), 1201 Elmwood Park Blvd., Mailstop GE 1065A, New Orleans, LA 70123
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Looking for Gulf Loop Current Data? We’ve Got It! |
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GulfHub is a data portal that compiles and makes publicly accessible physical oceanographic and hydrographic data from the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current field studies. It consolidates data from various sources and a variety of oceanographic platforms such as Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs), single-point current meters, ship- and air-deployed sensors, airborne current sensors, autonomous vehicles, high-frequency radars, buoyancy gliders, Lagrangian and card drifters, and satellites.
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The map shows stations generated from the ERDDAP server that contains the QC'd data in standard netCDF data format. Solid pink dots are point data and solid green dots are station data. Yellow line plots are glider or vessel-mounted ADCPs (VMADCP) trajectories. All are overlayed on the latest HYCOM ocean current model.
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In collaboration with project partners in the oil and gas industry, privately-held data are aggregated, quality controlled beyond the QARTOD recommended procedures and archived on this portal.
GulfHub is led by GCOOS with partners from the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, Woods Hole Group, RPS Group, Texas A&M University in College Station, Fugro and Ocean Sierra.
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Partner News: Gulf Research Program |
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Did you miss the National Academies’ Gulf Research Program’s (GRP) Understanding Gulf Ocean Systems (UGOS) 2021 annual meeting? You can still watch the pre-recorded presentations made for the meeting.
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Funding Op: Improving Gulf Forecasts |
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The GRP has announced a third round of funding opportunities as part of its Understanding Gulf Ocean Systems (UGOS) initiative.
UGOS-3 is focused on improving the skill of sustained continuous operational forecasts for the reduction of risks in offshore energy exploration and production in the regions of the Gulf of Mexico where oil and gas exploration and production occurs or is anticipated.
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Letters of Intent: Due by 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.
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Full Proposals: Due Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021.
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Virtual Q&A Session about the Opportunity: 1-2 p.m. ET Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. Register now.
- Application information
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About UGOS
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Well… actually, Alaska is coming to us! GCOOS’s dashboard for piloting and tracking autonomous vehicles is now being utilized by researchers working in Prince William Sound.
Earlier this month, GANDALF began providing glider piloting and data visualization services for a team of researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The principal investigator, Hank Statscewich, said he is thrilled with the services that GANDALF can provide: “The GANDALF layers are so incredibly powerful, I am thoroughly impressed! MODIS and HYCOM model outputs on a single layer with the glider tracks is like a dream come true!”
Hank's glider, unit_191, is plying Prince William Sound off the south coast of Alaska, conducting fisheries research and is expected to remain deployed for several weeks.
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New Operational Forecast System in Northern Gulf Coming Online This Month |
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A new National Ocean Service operational forecast system for the Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOFS2) will become operational at 12:00 UTC on Feb. 23, 2021.
NGOFS2 will replace the existing three operational forecast systems for the Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOFS), the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico (NEGOFS), and Northwestern Gulf of Mexico (NWGOFS). NGOFS, NEGOFS, and NWGOFS will be decommissioned after 15:00 UTC on Feb. 23, 20221.
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New Strategic Technology Plans from NOAA |
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NOAA has released new strategic plans for artificial intelligence, ‘omics and uncrewed systems that complement their strategy documents and provide actionable items for agency-wide coordination to meet goals to establish an efficient organizational structure, advance research, accelerate the transition of research to applications, strengthen and expand partnerships, and promote workforce proficiency.
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Observing Life in a Changing Ocean: Exploring a New 'Census of Marine Life' |
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The virtual symposium, “Observing Life in a Changing Ocean: Exploring a ‘Census of Marine Life’” included participation of more than 230 attendees from academic, government, industry, nonprofit, and philanthropic organizations around the world. The symposium highlighted the clear need for a new coordinated census initiative that emphasizes the use of novel tools and technologies, collaborative data collection and distribution, low-cost tools that democratize science, and engagement with a variety of stakeholders with differing applications.
- Learn more
- If you missed the event or want to revisit the discussions, you can view a full recording.
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Healthy Ecosystems & Living Resources |
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National Biodiversity Network Meeting |
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Nearly 100 participants virtually joined the February 2021 U.S. MBON meeting aimed at advancing a national operational marine biodiversity observation network. Team members reported on progress toward standardizing methods and best practices to quantify relationships between climate, the ocean environment and marine food webs, from microbes to top predators.
Six innovative MBON projects (Arctic, Pacific Northwest, Central California, Southern California Bight, South Florida and Gulf of Maine) are working to enable the integration of diverse data sets needed to address a suite of issues, including ecosystem function and service management challenges amidst climate change.
The diverse data sets under investigation include sound and animal movement data from passive and active acoustics, genetic information from eDNA, remotely sensed spectral data from instruments on satellites, and in situ oceanographic data.
The work is being done in partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission to define Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) and Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) needed to develop monitoring capabilities and provide guidelines for the International (UN) Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030.
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Embrace the Gulf: Turning Awareness into Action |
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The Gulf of Mexico Alliance’s successful Embrace the Gulf 2020 campaign to raise awareness about the beauty and benefits of the Gulf of Mexico is continuing into 2021 — with the goal of turning Gulf awareness into action through easy steps that make a difference in coastal communities, habitats, and wildlife.
2021 highlights will include:
- Weekly actions on the Gulf of Mexico Alliance’s social media accounts, highlighting easy ways to improve the health of the Gulf of Mexico;
- Monthly themes focusing on communities, habitats, wildlife, and outdoor activities such as fishing and kayaking;
- Regular “Embrace the Gulf” stories and bi-monthly facts about animals native to the Gulf of Mexico printed in South Mississippi Living;
- Campaign partnerships with Clean Gulf Associates and Shell.
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New Whale Species in the Gulf |
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Researchers with the NOAA and other organizations are working to reclassify what was previously known as the Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s whale.
Based largely on unique morphological features of the skull, the team is requesting the name Rice’s whale be formally accepted by the Society for Marine Mammal Committee on Taxonomy.
If accepted, NOAA will proceed with the regulatory process to update the name used in the endangered species listing to ensure protection of these filter feeders that can grow to 42 feet. There are believed to be fewer than 100 of these critically endangered whales left.
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Gulf of Mexico Conference |
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Dr. Jack E. Davis will give the keynote address at the upcoming Gulf of Mexico Conference virtual preview. Dr. Davis is the Pulitzer-prize winning author of “The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea” (2017). His keynote will focus on the unique story of the Gulf of Mexico and connections between the environment and people of the region.
This virtual conference combines the annual Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) All Hands Meeting, the annual Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystems Science (GoMOSES) Conference, and the triannual State of the Gulf Summit.
The preview is an introduction to the main event, the in-person conference in 2022 and will include three panels with a broad array of experts who will address key restoration and research efforts current to the Gulf of Mexico.
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Sargassum & Inundation reports for Caribbean and Gulf |
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Will 2021 be a banner year for sargassum inundation in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, second only to 2018? Check out:
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In 2010, the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon resulted in the largest man-made disaster in U.S. history. Today, each Gulf state administers restoration funds and programs. Additionally, other agencies and organizations are also tasked with administering programs designed to restore Gulf habitats and better understand Gulf ecosystems.
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Geared to students in grades 5-9, programs will include science demonstrations and conversations with scientists. Bonus activities will reinforce concepts covered during the programs.
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Emerging ScienTalks: Webinar Series |
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The GRP invites educators and parents with students of all ages to join them for an hour of engaging science discussions.
Early-Career Research Fellow, Dr. Ipsita Gupta from Louisiana State University, dives into understanding how offshore leaks and spills occur during “Leaky Wellbores: How They Impact Us and What We Can Do About Them.”
Dr. Gupta will investigate oil and gas activities, environmental impacts, and current research to help stop leaks and spills and their negative impacts.
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GCOOS maintains a jobs listing for positions and fellowships in the ocean observing community. Want to advertise a position? Email Laura Caldwell
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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine: Senior Program Officer Gulf Environmental Protection and Stewardship Program
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National Center for Atmospheric Research: Associate Scientist
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Alaska Fisheries Science Center: Research Fish Biologist
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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) Gulf Research Program: Board on Education and Engagement
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Mote Marine Laboratory: Senior Research Scientist in Shark or Manatee Biology, Staff Analytical Chemist, Exotoxicology Program; Coral Restoration Postdoctoral Researcher;
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Florida International University: Open-rank faculty position in Phycology
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Genwest Systems, Inc.: GIS Analyst
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The Water Institute of the Gulf: Data Architect for Environmental Resource
Postdoctoral Positions:
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NOAA: National Centers for Coastal Ocean Sciences, NRC Research Programs
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Fourqurean Laboratory at Florida International Laboratory: Data analysis and synthesis
Fellowships:
- Knauss Fellowships
- NOAA's William M Lapenta Student Internship
- NMFS - Sea Grant Joint Fellowship
- Gulf Research Science PolicoFellowship
- Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship
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GCOOS maintains a listing of funding opportunities. Have an opportunity you'd like to advertise? Email Laura Caldwell
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- RFP: The RESTORE Act Center of Excellence for Louisiana (LA-COE)
- RFP: The Texas General Land Office (GLO) Oil Spill Prevention and Response Program
- Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium
- Georgia Sea Grant
- U.S. IOOS Program
- NOAA Surveying Matching Fund Pilot
- NSF
- SECOORA
- NOAA Sea Grant & Ocean Acidification Program
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GCOOS is the Gulf of Mexico regional component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) and the only certified system dedicated solely to the Gulf of Mexico. Our mission is to provide timely, reliable and accurate information on the open ocean and coastal ocean waters of the Gulf of Mexico to ensure a healthy, clean, productive ocean and resilient coastal zone. |
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Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick, Executive Director • Bill Lingsch, U.S. Glider User Group Coordinator • Dr. Chris Simoniello, Outreach & Education Coordinator • Dr. Kerri Whilden, Oceanographer • Felimon Gayanilo, Systems Architect, Co-Data Manager • Dr. Shinichi Kobara, Assistant Research Scientist, Product Developer • Bob Currier, Research Specialist, Product Developer, Co-Data Manager • Marion Stoessel, Senior Research Associate • Jennifer Vreeland-Dawson, Research Associate • Grant Craig, Program Coordinator • Stephanie Watson, CETACEAN Coordinator • Nadine Slimak, Public Relations & Content Marketing, Vetted Communications, LLC • Dr. Chuan-Yuan Hsu, Post Doctoral Research Associate • Robbie Iles, Graduate Research Assistant • Laura Caldwell, Program Assistant
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In Memoriam: Matt Howard, 1952-2018
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